Lee County board hears update on Open Gate weapon-detection program and safety results
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Summary
District staff told the board the Open Gate weapon-detection system is now required at district campuses and described training, deployment and a downward trend in weapons incidents since rollout; board members asked about budgeting and system settings.
The School District of Lee County on Tuesday received a progress update on Open Gate, the districtwide weapon-detection program that requires everyone entering campus buildings to pass through a screening system.
Dave Nuland, the presenter identified by staff as the Open Gate lead, described the system's pilot testing, the district's rollout strategy and the training provided to staff and students. He said the district categorized sites by ease of deployment and reduced pedestrian entry points where possible before installing equipment and training teams to operate it.
"We trialed different systems, and we ended up choosing Open Gate based on our pilot program," Nuland said, adding that staff and students practiced the new procedures and that the vendor provided settings guidance tailored for schools.
Nuland and deputy superintendent Ken Savage said the district has included Open Gate equipment in all new school builds and issued a standard operating-procedure and updated settings as the district gains experience.
On outcomes, Nuland presented year-to-date data comparing 2023 with mid‑2025 and said the district has seen an overall downward trend in firearms and weapons incidents since the program began. He singled out a January comparison at Fort Myers—where reported incidents dropped from more than 20 to nine in January of the later year—and said broader statewide law‑enforcement figures showed similar declines in weapons-related incidents.
"When we first looked at Open Gate…we wondered if there would be a correlation once we started this program to incidents that occur on campus," he said. "For the most part, there has been a downward trend going from 2023 to 2025."
Board members who spoke praised the program's intent and asked staff for clarifying details about installation costs and budget timing for full deployment. One member asked whether planned installations and related furniture and signage are included in school construction budgets; Nuland confirmed those items will be included in project budgets and that procurement and installation needs are being coordinated with the capital plan.
Several board members also stressed the importance of community messaging and home‑storage safety. "Gun owners should always store firearms out of the reach of children," one board member said during the discussion, echoing the presenters' request that the community pair campus screening with safe storage practices at home.
The board did not take formal action on Open Gate at the workshop. Staff said budgeting details and the final rollout schedule will be included in future capital and project budget documents and change‑order reporting to the board.
